News Releases

September 15, 2011

WOCCU Launches Intl. Year of Co-ops Online Platform and Resources

MADISON, Wis. — The United Nations earlier this year announced 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC), a time to recognize the contributions of cooperative enterprises worldwide, including credit unions. World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) this week launched a special section on its website to provide a platform for credit union organizations to share ideas about cooperative services and ways to celebrate the U.N. designation.

"Credit unions play a critical role in the lives of their members, and it is important to recognize and celebrate that role," said Brian Branch, WOCCU president and CEO. "We encourage our members to add to the International Year of Cooperatives section on our website by sharing ideas related to member service in general and the year-long celebration in particular."

The International Year of Cooperatives will officially launch the week of Oct. 31 - Nov. 1 with a series of meetings and workshops at the U.N.'s New York City headquarters. WOCCU's online IYC platform, www.woccu.org/iyc2012, contains information and resources for WOCCU member organizations interested in recognizing and celebrating the year-long designation. The website also features a forum through which members, credit unions and other cooperative business leaders can share ideas, photos and video about IYC and current issues affecting credit unions.

The website features a growing list of celebration and service ideas, financial cooperative information, links to related sites and events and IYC branding guidelines. Those interested may subscribe to the RSS feed on the IYC Forum, www.woccu.org/iyc_forum, to receive updates as they are made.

World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

World Council has implemented more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 57,000 credit unions in 103 countries serve 208 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.

NOTE: Click on photos to view/download in high resolution.

Contact: Rebecca CarpenterOrganization: World Council of Credit UnionsE-mail: rcarpenter@woccu.orgPhone: +1-608-395-2031